WWE 2K23 Controls Guide: The ULTIMATE Guide


WWE 2K23

The new game is finally here, but if you want to be a champion you will need this WWE 2K23 controls guide! Controls for WWE games have also been relatively confusing, with so many different moves and match types to get your head around.

Last year, wholesale changes were made to the controls of the game, and this has been continued in WWE 2K23. Even those that mastered the previous game will need to have a refresher on what has been updated this year.

With that in mind, here is the controls guide for the game across Xbox and PlayStation for every match type!

WWE 2K23 Controls Guide

There were some major changes to the control system when the franchise returned last year, and we have seen that continue with WWE 2K23.

WWE 2K23 Reigns McIntyre
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TOE TO TOE - Take to the ring with your favourite superstars

If you are used to FIFA or Madden where there are only a handful of basic controls then you are in for a surprise. There is a huge amount to get your head around when it comes to the WWE 2K23 controls, from simple strikes and grapple moves to finishers, ladder matches, and Royal Rumbles there is a lot to do.

WWE 2K23 Standard Controls

For WWE 2K22, developers Visual Concepts were already hyping up the revamped controls that were set to see several changes when compared to what players were used to.

Those revamped controls have continued into WWE 2K23, with a few minor changes also made.

WWE 2K23 controls PS5
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HOW TO: New controls were showcased well before the game was released

Here are the basic controls for WWE 2K23 that will get you into the flow of a match. When it comes to pinning an opponent, reversing moves, and hitting finishers, these are the WWE 2K23 controls you need.

Command
Xbox Control
PlayStation Control
Move
LS
LS
Run
LS + LT (hold)
LS + L2 (hold)
Exit / Enter Ring / Climb Top Rope
LS + RB (hold)
LS + R1 (hold)
Climb Middle Rope
LS + RB (press)
LS + R1 (press)
Lean To Ropes for Springboard
LS + LB (press)
LS + L1 (press)
Pick Up Object
LB (press)
L1 (press)
Wake Up Taunt
D-Pad Up
D-Pad Up
Crowd Taunt
D-Pad Left
D-Pad Left
Opponent Taunt
D-Pad Right
D-Pad Right
Pin
RS Down
RS Down
Re-Position Opponent
RS Up, Left, or Right
RS Up, Left, or Right
Lift Opponent (When Grounded)
RS Up
RS Up
Instant Recovery (from Ground)
RB
R1
Release Hold / Pin
LB
L1
Tag In / Tag Out Partner
LB
L1
Change Target
Click RS
R3
Finisher Move
RT + A
RT + X
Signature Move
RT + X
RT + Square
Payback
RT + Y
RT + Triangle
Submission
RT + B
RT + Circle
Dodge or Climb
RB
R1
Reversal
Y (press)
Triangle (press)
Block
Y (hold)
Triangle (press)
Light Attack
X (press)
Square (press)
Heavy Attack
A (press)
X (press)
Grab
B
Circle

Grapple system

To perform grapple moves and the new combo moves you first need to enter the grapple state by pressing B on Xbox or Circle on PlayStation.

WWE 2K23 War Games
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GET TO GRIPS - The new controls take some time getting used to

This includes when dragging or carrying an opponent. To execute moves you first have to hit B on Xbox or Circle on PlayStation.

Command
Xbox Control
PlayStation Control
Light Grapple Attacks
LS (Any Direction) Then X (press)
LS (Any Direction) Then Square (press)
Strong Grapple Attacks
LS (Any Direction) Then A (press)
LS (Any Direction) Then X (press)
Irish Whip
LS (Any Direction) Then B (press)
LS (Any Direction) Then Circle (press)
Strong Irish Whip
LS (Any Direction) Then B (hold)
LS (Any Direction) Then Circle (hold)
Initiate Carry
RB
R1
Powerbomb Carry
LS Up then RB (press)
LS Up then R1 (press)
Cradle Carry
LS Down then RB (press)
LS Down then R1 (press)
Fireman's Carry
LS Left then RB (press)
LS Left then R1 (press)
Shoulder Carry
LS Right then RB (press)
LS Right then R1 (press)
Change Carry Position
LS
LS
Turn Move Into Carry
RB
R1
Slam Opponent / Complete Move
A
X
Environmental Attack
X
Square
Throw Over Ropes / Off Stage
B
Circle
Release Carry / Drag
LB
L1
(As Defender) Escape Carry / Drag
B
Circle

Weapon / Object controls

What's a wrestling match without a few foreign objects? If you want to swing a chair or use a table, we've got you covered.

Command
Xbox Control
PlayStation Control
Pick Up Object
LB
L1
Grab Object from under the ring
LB
L1
Primary Attack
X
Square
Secondary Attack
A
X
Drop Object
B
Circle
Lean / Wedge Object In Corner
LS + B
LS + Circle

Ladder controls

Ladder matches are common in major WWE shows now, from TLC to Money In The Bank, you need to know what you are doing when it comes to climbing ladders!

Command
Xbox Control
PlayStation Control
Set up Ladder
A
X
Climb Ladder
RB
R1
Push Ladder Down
Rapidly Tap B
Rapidly Tap Circle
Rotate Standing Ladder
RS + LB (hold)
RS + L1 (hold)
Grab Belt/Briefcase atop Ladder
Complete mini-game
Complete mini-game

Cage/Hell In A Cell controls

Cage matches are all about escaping or winning, while Hell In A Cell is about beating your opponent to a pulp.

WWE 2K23 War Games
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WAR GAMES - War Games brought some new options to WWE 2K23

You can still access the ringside area in Hell In A Cell, meaning you can get weapons from underneath and use things like the ring steps.

War Games has also been added to WWE 2K23, with all of the controls applied to Steel Cage matches also available in the new mode.

Command
Xbox Control
PlayStation Control
Climb Cage/Cell
RB
R1
Call for the Cage Door
LB
L1

Royal Rumble controls

In a Royal Rumble you can't pin or submit opponents, you just need to throw them over the top rope!

Command
Xbox Control
PlayStation Control
Get Back In Ring From Apron
RB
R1
Throw Out Opponent
RT + X
R2 + Square

For more articles like this, take a look at our WWE 2K page.